Control plane for sensor communication

ABSTRACT

The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can employ a control plane for managing communications with respect to a set of sensors. By utilizing a control plane, a distinction between control messages and data messages can be provided in a standardized way and the set of sensors can benefit from additional functionality and configurability. For example, the control plane can be employed to modify parameters associated with the set of sensors, which can be effectuated in real time and in situ as opposed to at the time of fabrication or deployment. Moreover, such modifications can relate to both the sensing portions of a particular sensor as well as the communication portions of a particular sensor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a communicationsarchitecture for sensors that measure a physical quantity, and, morespecifically, to utilize a control plane separate from the communicationof measured data to customize behavior as well as configure the sensors.

BACKGROUND

Sensors of one type or another have been used to collect informationabout the physical environment for much of recorded history. Forexample, early thermostats for measuring temperature and scales formeasuring weight date back hundreds of years. In the past, sensors wereconstructed to measure particular fundamental physical constants. Suchsensors were therefore not configurable after fabrication. For example,the particular physical phenomenon to be measured as well as themeasurement constant and the precision or range of the measurement weredetermined at the time of construction, and could not be modifiedwithout substantial changes, if feasible at all.

In fact, it is only recently that sensors have gained the ability to beconfigurable to a degree. In particular, the advent of Micro ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS), which are manufactured using siliconsemiconductor device fabrication technology, which typically includeon-board physics and electronics (e.g., amplifiers), have contributed tothe ability to configure or program a sensor in recent times. While,most pre-MEMS sensors are preconfigured to measure a single physicalphenomenon, and to do so within a preconfigured range, MEMS technologyhas enabled a wider range of applications. By employing MEMS technology,the actual sensor output is a composite of the output of the MEMS partof the sensor plus the processing that operates according topredetermined constraints, typically programmed with softwareinstructions. Thus, many MEMS sensors are capable of a range ofdifferent types or sensitivities of a measurement, even if controllingsoftware is written to take advantage of only a small subset of thepossible functionality of the sensor, such as deploying sensors for aparticular, predetermined purpose.

Hence, conventional sensor systems do not provide a means to program orrecalibrate sensors unless such is provided for at the time the softwarethat utilizes the sensor output is written. Thus, even MEMS sensors oftoday are not configurable to the extent possible because regardless ofthe possible functionality of a sensor, once the sensor has beendeployed in the field (is placed in situ), very little can be done tocontrol the sensor or the output provided by the sensor. As such, evensystems that do allow some degree of remote programming of sensorsoperate according to a point-to-point communications mechanism and aretherefore not effective for programming a large number of sensors in astandard way, and typically such programming must be manually input byhumans.

What is needed is a way to provide for real-time, in-situ programming ofnetworked sensors in a way that supports single sensors and large sensorarrays as well as self-calibration/self-organization of the sensor(s).

The above-described deficiencies of sensors and related systems aremerely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems ofconventional systems and techniques, and are not intended to beexhaustive. Other problems with conventional systems and techniques, andcorresponding benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments describedherein may become further apparent upon review of the followingdescription.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosed subjectmatter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of thedisclosed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosed subject matter. It is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of the disclosed subject matter nor delineate thescope of the disclosed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to presentsome concepts of the disclosed subject matter in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises acommunications architecture that employs a control plane as a componentof an overall sensor-control network architecture. In accordancetherewith and to other related ends, the architecture includes asignaling sub-network that can be configured to provide a control planefor sensors that are configured to measure a physical quantity. Thecontrol plane can be thus configured to manage communication associatedwith a set of sensors in a shared multi-node network environment. Inaddition, the control plane function is differentiated to allow thesensor to distinguish between control messages and datameasurement-related messages. For example, control messages can beutilized in conjunction with the control plane to adjust a parameterassociated with a sensor. On the other hand, data messages can beutilized to, e.g., propagate information associated with the physicalquantity measured by a particular sensor.

In addition, in a second aspect, a second architecture associated with asensor that can utilize a control plane is disclosed. In particular, thesecond architecture can include a sensor. The sensor can include asensing component that can be configured to measure a physical quantity.Moreover, the sensor can further include a communications component thatcan be configured to communicate by way of the control plane.Advantageously, the control plane can be configured to support controlmessages that will define and configure data messages associated withphysical quantity measurements.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detailcertain illustrative aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Theseaspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways inwhich the principles of the disclosed subject matter may be employed andthe disclosed subject matter is intended to include all such aspects andtheir equivalents. Other advantages and distinguishing features of thedisclosed subject matter will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system that can employ a control planefor managing communications with respect to sensors.

FIG. 2 provides a block diagram of a variety of example parameters thatcan be adjusted by control component.

FIG. 3 provides a block diagram of a system that can provide adjustmentsto a sensor and receive acknowledgements relating to the adjustment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a system that can perform or aidwith various intelligent determinations or inferences.

FIG. 5A depicts a block diagram of a system is configured such that allor a portion of the control component can be included in one or moresensor from the set of sensors.

FIG. 5B illustrates a block diagram of a system in which all or aportion of the components described herein can be remote from one ormore of the set of sensors.

FIG. 6 provides a block diagram of a system that can employ a controlplane to manage communication for one or more sensor.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary flow chart of procedures defining a methodfor utilizing a control plane in connection with sensor communication.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow chart of procedures that define a method forfurther configuring the control plane.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary flow chart of procedures defining a methodfor providing additional features or aspects in connection withutilizing a control plane for sensor communication.

FIG. 10 illustrates a first example of a wireless communicationsenvironment with associated components that can be operable to a portionof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 11 illustrates a second example of a wireless communicationsenvironment with associated components that can be operable to a portionof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer operable toexecute a portion of the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Modern networked and/or array sensor can be generally discussed in termsof two sub-components. That is, the sensing component(s) of a sensor andthe communications component(s) of a sensor. As such, modern sensorshave the capability to operate in a manner similar to that of nodes in abackbone communications network. Enabling such capability can greatlyexpand the utility and functionality of distributed sensor systems.Today, control planes exist in many forms. Perhaps the most well knownis in terms of routing in which the control plane exists as part of therouter architecture that is concerned with drawing a network map ormanaging information and protocols associated with a routing table thatdefines how to handle incoming packets. For additional examples, apublic switched telephone network (PSTN) and a voice-over-IP (VoIP)network can utilize a control plane as well. For instance, the PSTN canemploy dial codes and touch-tone decoders to route communications to aparticular destination. Likewise, in VoIP networks, the control planecan pass along the control information the telephone at the other end issending in terms of the network addressing and also in terms of theencoding scheme that is used.

As sensors become more sophisticated and their ability to be“customized” to measure arbitrary quantities improves (e.g.,presence/amount of particular chemical compounds or DNA),re-configuration in real-time via a dedicated control plane will becomemore important. Moreover, separate sensors may be disposed to supportarray operation, where measurements of designated sensors are combinedadvantageously to improve detection sensitivity, resolution, orbandwidth by adjustment of gains, synchronization/timing of samples, andrate of acquisition. Such arrays may also have to be adjusted inreal-time to provide directional discrimination or detect presence ofconstantly-changing phenomena or detection targets. Such arrays mayinvolve large groups of networked sensors that are not co-located, butare connected to a common shared network.

By leveraging the concept of a control plane and applying that conceptto sensors as well as to sensor arrays, such sensors or sensor arrayscan become much more powerful. For example, a control plane fornetworked sensors can operate as part of the network that sets up andmanages communications for the sensors and allows changes to be made,particularly, changes after the sensors are deployed in the field. Thus,by utilizing a control plane in connection with sensors, both thesensing aspects and the communication aspects of the sensors can bemodified in situ. Moreover, by employing a control plane in connectionwith sensors, such modifications can be provided by a central server orbased upon the notion of self-organization, where the sensorsthemselves, either individually or collectively, determine command andcontrol, possibly based upon sensed data or the like. Moreover,programming via the control plane can be conducted over a separatenetwork “channel”, either real or virtual. Thus, this separate networkchannel may operate with a different communication rate, protocol,priority and security level than the “channel” used for communication ofmeasurements and that allows each sensor to be addressed individuallyfor control purposes.

Control Plane Architecture and Functionality

The disclosed subject matter is now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter. It may beevident, however, that the disclosed subject matter may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order tofacilitate describing the disclosed subject matter.

As used in this application, the terms “system,” “component,”“interface,” and the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machinewith one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed hereincan be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software,software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. These components also can execute from various computerreadable storage media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry that is operated bysoftware or firmware application(s) executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can include a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. An interface can include input/output (I/O)components as well as associated processor, application, and/or APIcomponents.

Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from by acomputing device.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and includes any information delivery or transport media. Theterm “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that has oneor more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and notlimitation, communication media include wired media, such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,RF, infrared and other wireless media

As used herein, the terms “infer” or “inference” generally connote theprocess of reasoning about or inferring states of the system,environment, and/or user from a set of observations as captured viaevents and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a specificcontext or action, or can generate a probability distribution overstates, for example. The inference can be probabilistic—that is, thecomputation of a probability distribution over states of interest basedon a consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer totechniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set ofevents and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of newevents or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored eventdata, whether or not the events are correlated in close temporalproximity, and whether the events and data come from one or severalevent and data sources.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As usedin this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, orclear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of thenatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” asused in this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

Referring now to the drawing, with reference initially to FIG. 1, system100 that can employ a dedicated control plane for providing commandswith respect to sensors is depicted. Generally, system 100 can includeat least one data network 101 configured to propagate a data message 112associated with a set of sensors 106 ₁-106 _(N), where N can besubstantially any positive integer. As used herein, sensors 106 ₁-106_(N) can be referred to, either collectively or individually assensor(s) 106 and/or set 106. Typically, sensors 106 can be configuredto measure a physical quantity or attribute, as depicted in connectionwith reference numeral 108. For example, sensor 106 can measure atemperature, a barometric pressure, an acceleration, a voltage, awaveform and so forth. As such data message 112 can be configured toinclude measurement data associated with physical attribute 108

Moreover, system 100 can also include at least one control component 102that can be configured to provide dedicated control plane 104 for set ofsensors 106. For example, dedicated control plane 104 (or simply controlplane 104) can be configured to propagate control message 110. Controlmessage 110 can include instruction data associated with set of sensors106. Hence, control message 110 can be readily distinguished from datamessage 112, which relates to measurement data. In more detail, controlmessages 110 can be configured to convey instructions to or from sensor106 such as, e.g., instructions directed to changing a setting.Likewise, data message 112 can be configured to convey data associatedwith physical attribute 108, such as a value or quantity recorded by asensing mechanism of the sensor. By distinguishing between controlmessages 110 and data messages 112, control component 102 can thereforeadjust settings associated with either the sensing portions of sensor106 or a feature of communication for sensor 106.

In one or more aspect, control plane 104 can be further configured tooperate on a single channel that differs from one or more channelassociated with data network 101. Thus, messages transported by controlplane 104 can be delivered or received on that single channel. In one ormore aspect, control plane 104 can be further configured to operateaccording to a different network protocol, a different mode of networksecurity, a different communications rate, or a different priority thanthat for data network 104. Moreover, control plane 104 can enableindependent addressability for all or a portion of sensors included inset of sensors 106. In accordance with one or more aspect, control plane104 can be compliant with a ZigBee protocol defined according toInstitute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) StandardsAssociation 802.15.4. Furthermore, according to one or more aspect,communication associated with set of sensors 106 and managed by controlplane 104 can operate according to an Internet Protocol (IP). Thus, forexample, communication associated with set of sensors 106 can bepacket-based. Moreover, in one or more aspect, communication associatedwith set of sensors 106 can be wireless.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in one or more aspect control component 102can be further configured to employ control plane 104 to adjust at leastone parameter associated with at least one sensor 106, which is furtherdetailed in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. Briefly, however, it isappreciated that control component 102 can be configured to adjust theat least one parameter in real time (as opposed to at the time ofconstruction or initial configuration or calibration). Moreover, suchadjustment can be performed in connection with sensor 106 that is insitu and/or deployed in the field.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a variety of example parameters that can beadjusted by control component 102 are provided. In particular, as afirst example, control component 102 can adjust a parameter associatedwith a sensitivity of the at least one sensor 106, which is representedby reference numeral 202. For example, an accelerometer can be adjustedto gather readings from very slight accelerations to very broadaccelerations. Likewise, another example parameter that can be adjustedby control component 102 can relate to a measurement scale or rangeassociated with the at least one sensor 106, which is depicted byreference numeral 204. For instance, the accelerometer can be adjustedto record measurements associated with acceleration from between ±2.00 gor from between 4.0 g and 8.0 g and so forth.

Continuing with additional examples, the at least one parameter can beassociated with a physical attribute (e.g., physical attribute 108) tobe measured by the at least one sensor 106, which is depicted byreference numeral 206. For example, in cases in which sensor 106 has thecapability to measure multiple physical attributes or quantities, anadjustment can be provided by control component 102 to set theparticular physical attribute to be evaluated. Moreover, referencenumeral 208 relates to a zero point, which can serve as yet anotherexample of the at least one parameter that can be adjusted by controlcomponent 102. For instance, control component 102 can signal sensor 106to recalibrate to a particular reference or scale setting.

In addition, reference numerals 210-216 refer respectively to samplingrate 210 (e.g., how often to evaluate physical attribute 108 or a periodbetween evaluation samples), resolution 212 (e.g., a precision for theevaluation of physical attribute 108), output format 214 (e.g., aprecision or other format associated with the format of sensor 106output), and threshold 216 (e.g., a value associated with physicalattribute 108 in which further action or additional routines areemployed). All or a portion of these can be associated with or canrepresent the at least one parameter that can be adjusted by controlcomponent 102.

Furthermore, the at least one parameter that can be adjusted by controlcomponent 102 can relate to clock setting 218 (e.g., a current time)associated with the at least one sensor 106; time synchronization 220(e.g., a clock setting relative to other clocks) associated with the atleast one sensor 106 or in connection with other sensors associated withcontrol plane 104; timing offset 220 (e.g., a sampling time that isoffset from that for other sensors) associated with the at least onesensor 106 or in connection with other sensors associated with controlplane 104; sleep cycle 224 (e.g., when to power down) of the at leastone sensor 106; wake cycle 226 (e.g., when to power on) of the at leastone sensor 106; frequency of operation 228; or power utilization 230setting (e.g., power consumption) associated with the at least onesensor 106.

It is understood that reference numerals 202-230 are presented asconcrete examples yet not necessarily limitation on the variousparameters that can be adjusted by control component 102. Rather, it isenvisioned that control component 102 can utilize control plane 104 toadjust other parameters as well, which is depicted by reference numeral232 denoting “adjust parameter”. Moreover, it is further understood thatreference numerals 202-230 can relate to features associated with bothactual sensing as well as communication, and can further be adjusted inreal time and for sensors 106 that are in situ.

Referring now to FIG. 3, system 300 that can provide adjustments to asensor and receive acknowledgements relating to the adjustment isillustrated. In particular, system 300 can include control component 102that, as detailed supra, can be configured to provide control plane 104for a set of sensors 106, wherein control plane 104 can be configured tomanage communication associated with the set of sensors 106. Moreover,as introduced above, control component 102 can be configured to employcontrol plane 104 to adjust at least one parameter associated with theat least one sensor 106. Such is again depicted by reference numeral232, which can be propagated from control component 102 along controlplane 104 to sensor 106.

In addition, in one or more aspect, control component 102 can be furtherconfigured to employ control plane 104 to receive acknowledgment 302from the at least one sensor 106. For example, acknowledgment 302 canindicate the at least one parameter was adjusted as instructed, orconversely indicate the at least one parameter was not adjusted asinstructed, possibly with error codes or addition information. It isappreciated that in terms of control plane 104 both instructions relatedto adjustment of the parameter and acknowledgment 302 can be associatedwith control messages 110, which can be configured differently than datamessages 112 employed to propagate data associated with sensor 106readings or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 4, system 400 that can perform or aid withvarious intelligent determinations or inferences is illustrated.Generally, system 400 can include control component 102 that can providecontrol plane 104 configured to manage communication associated with aset of sensors 106 as substantially described supra. As provided above,control component 102 can employ control plane 104 to adjust at leastone parameter (adjust parameter 232) associated with the set of sensors106.

In addition, system 400 can also include intelligence component 402 thatcan provide for or aid in various inferences or determinations. Inparticular, in one or more aspect, intelligence component 402 can beconfigured to dynamically infer adjustment 404 associated with the atleast one parameter. Put another way, control messages 110 that relateto adjust parameter 232 and provided to a sensor 106 (e.g., to instructsensor 106 to adjust a particular parameter) can be based upon anintelligent inference determined by intelligence component 402 andprovided to control component 102 in the form of adjustment 404. In oneor more aspect, adjustment 404 can relate to at least one of acommunication channel utilized by the set of sensors 106, an allocationof spectrum for the set of sensors 106, or a sampling rate or otherparameter associated with the set of sensors 106. Thus, it isappreciated that by utilizing such intelligent determinations the set ofsensors can attain a degree of self-organization and/orself-calibration.

As such, intelligence component 402 can be remote from control component102 in whole or in part. Additionally or alternatively, all or portionsof intelligence component 402 can be included in one or more componentsdescribed herein, such as control component 102. Thus, intelligencecomponent 402 can reside in whole or in part within system 100 or withincomponents described therein. Moreover, intelligence component 402 willtypically have access to all or portions of data sets described herein,such as data store 406. As used herein, data store 406 is intended to bea repository of all or portions of data, data sets, or informationdescribed herein or otherwise suitable for use with the describedsubject matter. Data store 406 can be centralized, either remotely orlocally cached, or distributed, potentially across multiple devicesand/or schemas. Furthermore, data store 406 can be embodied assubstantially any type of memory, including but not limited to volatileor non-volatile, sequential access, structured access, or random access,solid state, and so on. It should be understood that all or portions ofdata store 406 can be included in systems 100 or other suitablecomponents described herein, or can reside in part or entirely remotely.

In more detail, in order to provide for or aid in various inferences,intelligence component 402 can examine the entirety or a subset of thedata available and can provide for reasoning about or infer states ofthe system, environment, and/or user from a set of observations ascaptured via events and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify aspecific context or action, or can generate a probability distributionover states, for example. The inference can be probabilistic—that is,the computation of a probability distribution over states of interestbased on a consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer totechniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set ofevents and/or data.

Such inference can result in the construction of new events or actionsfrom a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether or notthe events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and whether theevents and data come from one or several event and data sources. Variousclassification (explicitly and/or implicitly trained) schemes and/orsystems (e.g., support vector machines, neural networks, expert systems,Bayesian belief networks, fuzzy logic, data fusion engines . . . ) canbe employed in connection with performing automatic and/or inferredaction in connection with the disclosed subject matter.

A classifier can be a function that maps an input attribute vector,x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to aclass, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ aprobabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring intothe analysis utilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that auser desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine(SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVMoperates by finding a hyper-surface in the space of possible inputs,where the hyper-surface attempts to split the triggering criteria fromthe non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachesinclude, e.g., naive Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

With reference now to FIGS. 5A-B, various design configurations aredepicted. In particular, FIG. 5A is configured such that all or aportion of control component 102 can be included in a sensor 106 fromthe set of sensors 106. Likewise, FIG. 5B relates to system 510 in whichall or a portion of control component 102 can be remote from set ofsensors 106. Thus, control component 102 can be communicatively coupledto control plane 104 and/or set of sensors 106 by way of network 502,thus operating as a central management mechanism. It is appreciated thatnetwork 502 can be substantially any suitable network such as a widearea network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or another suitable typeof communications network. It is further appreciated that control plane104 can be included in, either in whole or in part, in network 502.

Turning now to FIG. 6, system 600 that can employ a dedicated controlplane to propagate control messages for one or more sensor is provided.Generally, system 600 can include sensor 602. Sensor 602 can includesensing component 604 that can be configured to measure physicalquantity 606 extant in a local environment such as a temperature, anacceleration, a voltage, or the like. In addition, sensor 602 canfurther include communications component 608 that can be configured tocommunicate by way of control plane 610 or second network 620. Controlplane 610 can be configured to support control messages 612 that can beconfigured to convey instructions. On the other hand, second network 620can be configured to transport data messages 614 that can be configuredto convey data associated with physical quantity 606. By employingcontrol plane 610, sensor 602 can be readily calibrated to operate inaccordance with a different set of parameters than when originallydeployed. In other words, sensor 602 can be fully configurable in realtime and in situ. Moreover, sensor 602 as well as multiple other sensorscan be independently addressable by way of control plane 610

In one or more aspect, sensor 602 can further include managementcomponent 616. Management component 616 can be configured to adjustsensor 602, and in particular, adjust features relating to sensingcomponent 604 or communications component 608. Such adjustments can bebased upon, e.g., at least one instruction included in control message612 received by way of control plane 610. Furthermore, in one or moreaspect, sensor 602 can further include intelligence component 618 thatcan be configured to dynamically infer an adjustment to sensor 602.Hence, intelligence component 618 can provide for or aid with variousintelligent determinations or inferences similar to that described inconnection with intelligence component 402 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate various methodologies in accordance with thedisclosed subject matter. While, for purposes of simplicity ofexplanation, the methodologies are shown and described as a series ofacts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the disclosed subjectmatter is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown anddescribed herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented asa series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement amethodology in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.Additionally, it should be further appreciated that the methodologiesdisclosed hereinafter and throughout this specification are capable ofbeing stored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transporting andtransferring such methodologies to computers.

Turning now to FIG. 7, exemplary method 700 for utilizing a controlplane in connection with sensor communication depicted. Generally, atreference numeral 702, a communications network for a set of sensorsconfigured to measure a physical quantity can be maintained.

Moreover, at reference numeral 704, a dedicated and independent controlplane for the set of sensors can be maintained as well. For example, thecontrol plane can be configured for maintaining communications forcontrol messages with respect to the set of sensors. In one or moreaspect, a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-transitory medium)can be employed for establishing the control plane for a set of sensorsconfigured to measure a physical quantity. Moreover, at referencenumeral 706, configured processor can be employed for differentiatingbetween (1) a control message including at least one sensor command and(2) a data message including sensor data, e.g., data associated with thephysical quantity.

Thus, at reference numeral 708, the control message can be propagated byway of the control plane. Likewise, the data message can be propagatedby way of the communications network. Moreover, it is understood that byemploying a control plane for managing and/or maintaining controlmessage communications for the set of sensors, such sensors can bereadily calibrated to operate in accordance with a different set ofparameters than when originally deployed. In other words, the set ofsensors can be independently addressable and fully configurable in realtime and in situ.

Turning now to FIG. 8, exemplary method 800 for further configuring thecontrol plane is illustrated. At reference numeral 802, the controlplane established at reference numeral 702 of FIG. 7 can be furtherconfigured for operating on a single channel. Additionally oralternatively, at reference numeral 804, the control plane can befurther configured for operating according to a ZigBee protocol (e.g.,IEEE 802.15.4).

Furthermore, at reference numeral 806, the control plane can be furtherconfigured for operating according to an Internet Protocol such thatinformation is propagated in well-defined packets or datagrams.Moreover, at reference numeral 808, the control plane can be furtherconfigured for enabling wireless communication with respect to the setof sensors.

With reference now FIG. 9, exemplary method 900 for providing additionalfeatures or aspects in connection with utilizing a control plane forsensor communication is depicted. As detailed supra, the control planecan be configured to differentiate between control messages and datamessages. As such, at reference numeral 902, the control plane can beutilized for transmission of a control message instructing at least onesensor from the set of sensors to modify at least one parameterassociated with the at least one sensor.

In accordance therewith, at reference numeral 904, the at least oneparameter can be modified in real time, wherein the at least oneparameter is associated with a sensor that has been deployed in thefield and/or is in situ. Furthermore, at reference numeral 906, anacknowledgement can be received from the at least one sensor indicatingthat the at least one parameter was modified according to instructionsincluded in the control message. Otherwise, the acknowledgement canalternatively indicate an error condition or that the at least oneparameter was not modified according to instruction.

Moreover, at reference numeral 908, the instruction(s) included in thecontrol message can be intelligently inferred rather than beingdetermined and input by a human actor. Advantageously, such intelligentinferences can be provided in real time and can be based upon conditionsassociated with the set of sensors or a physical environment of the setof sensors.

To provide further context for various aspects of the subjectspecification, FIG. 10 illustrates an example wireless communicationenvironment 1000, with associated components that can enable operationof a femtocell enterprise network in accordance with aspects describedherein. Wireless communication environment 1000 includes two wirelessnetwork platforms: (i) A macro network platform 1010 that serves, orfacilitates communication) with user equipment 1075 via a macro radioaccess network (RAN) 1070. It should be appreciated that in cellularwireless technologies (e.g., 4G, 3GPP UMTS, HSPA, 3GPP LTE, 3GPP UMB),macro network platform 1010 is embodied in a Core Network. (ii) A femtonetwork platform 1080, which can provide communication with UE 1075through a femto RAN 1090, linked to the femto network platform 1080through a routing platform 102 via backhaul pipe(s) 1085, whereinbackhaul pipe(s) are substantially the same a backhaul link 3853 below.It should be appreciated that femto network platform 1080 typicallyoffloads UE 1075 from macro network, once UE 1075 attaches (e.g.,through macro-to-femto handover, or via a scan of channel resources inidle mode) to femto RAN.

It is noted that RAN includes base station(s), or access point(s), andits associated electronic circuitry and deployment site(s), in additionto a wireless radio link operated in accordance with the basestation(s). Accordingly, macro RAN 1070 can comprise various coveragecells like cell 1205, while femto RAN 1090 can comprise multiple femtoaccess points. As mentioned above, it is to be appreciated thatdeployment density in femto RAN 1090 is substantially higher than inmacro RAN 1070.

Generally, both macro and femto network platforms 1010 and 1080 includecomponents, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or platforms,that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP),frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS)traffic (e.g., voice and data) and control generation for networkedwireless communication. In an aspect of the subject innovation, macronetwork platform 1010 includes CS gateway node(s) 1012 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 1040 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a SS7 network 1060. Circuitswitched gateway 1012 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g.,voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway 1012 canaccess mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 1060;for instance, mobility data stored in a VLR, which can reside in memory1030. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1012 interfaces CS-based traffic andsignaling and gateway node(s) 1018. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, gateway node(s) 1018 can be embodied in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN).

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, gateway node(s) 1018 can authorize and authenticate PS-baseddata sessions with served (e.g., through macro RAN) wireless devices.Data sessions can include traffic exchange with networks external to themacro network platform 1010, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 1050; itshould be appreciated that local area network(s) (LANs) can also beinterfaced with macro network platform 1010 through gateway node(s)1018. Gateway node(s) 1018 generates packet data contexts when a datasession is established. To that end, in an aspect, gateway node(s) 1018can include a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG)in 3GPP UMTS network(s); not shown) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks. It should be further appreciated that the packetizedcommunication can include multiple flows that can be generated throughserver(s) 1014. It is to be noted that in 3GPP UMTS network(s), gatewaynode(s) 1018 (e.g., GGSN) and tunnel interface (e.g., TTG) comprise apacket data gateway (PDG).

Macro network platform 1010 also includes serving node(s) 1016 thatconvey the various packetized flows of information or data streams,received through gateway node(s) 1018. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, serving node(s) can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s)(SGSN).

As indicated above, server(s) 1014 in macro network platform 1010 canexecute numerous applications (e.g., location services, online gaming,wireless banking, wireless device management . . . ) that generatemultiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g.,schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s), forexample can include add-on features to standard services provided bymacro network platform 1010. Data streams can be conveyed to gatewaynode(s) 1018 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 1016 for communication thereafter.Server(s) 1014 can also effect security (e.g., implement one or morefirewalls) of macro network platform 1010 to ensure network's operationand data integrity in addition to authorization and authenticationprocedures that CS gateway node(s) 1012 and gateway node(s) 1018 canenact. Moreover, server(s) 1014 can provision services from externalnetwork(s), e.g., WAN 1050, or Global Positioning System (GPS)network(s) (not shown). It is to be noted that server(s) 1014 caninclude one or more processor configured to confer at least in part thefunctionality of macro network platform 1010. To that end, the one ormore processor can execute code instructions stored in memory 1030, forexample.

In example wireless environment 1000, memory 1030 stores informationrelated to operation of macro network platform 1010. Information caninclude business data associated with subscribers; market plans andstrategies, e.g., promotional campaigns, business partnerships;operational data for mobile devices served through macro networkplatform; service and privacy policies; end-user service logs for lawenforcement; and so forth. Memory 1030 can also store information fromat least one of telephony network(s) 1040, WAN(s) 1050, or SS7 network1060, enterprise NW(s) 1065, or service NW(s) 1067.

Femto gateway node(s) 1084 have substantially the same functionality asPS gateway node(s) 1018. Additionally, femto gateway node(s) 1084 canalso include substantially all functionality of serving node(s) 1016. Inan aspect, femto gateway node(s) 1084 facilitates handover resolution,e.g., assessment and execution. Further, control node(s) 1020 canreceive handover requests and relay them to a handover component (notshown) via gateway node(s) 1084. According to an aspect, control node(s)1020 can support RNC capabilities.

Server(s) 1082 have substantially the same functionality as described inconnection with server(s) 1014. In an aspect, server(s) 1082 can executemultiple application(s) that provide service (e.g., voice and data) towireless devices served through femto RAN 1090. Server(s) 1082 can alsoprovide security features to femto network platform. In addition,server(s) 1082 can manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . )substantially all packetized flows (e.g., IP-based, frame relay-based,ATM-based) it generates in addition to data received from macro networkplatform 1010. It is to be noted that server(s) 1082 can include one ormore processor configured to confer at least in part the functionalityof macro network platform 1010. To that end, the one or more processorcan execute code instructions stored in memory 1086, for example.

Memory 1086 can include information relevant to operation of the variouscomponents of femto network platform 1080. For example operationalinformation that can be stored in memory 1086 can comprise, but is notlimited to, subscriber information; contracted services; maintenance andservice records; femto cell configuration (e.g., devices served throughfemto RAN 1090; access control lists, or white lists); service policiesand specifications; privacy policies; add-on features; and so forth.

It is noted that femto network platform 1080 and macro network platform1010 can be functionally connected through one or more reference link(s)or reference interface(s). In addition, femto network platform 1080 canbe functionally coupled directly (not illustrated) to one or more ofexternal network(s) 1040, 1050, 1060, 1065 or 1067. Reference link(s) orinterface(s) can functionally link at least one of gateway node(s) 1084or server(s) 1086 to the one or more external networks 1040, 1050, 1060,1065 or 1067.

FIG. 11 illustrates a wireless environment that includes macro cells andfemtocells for wireless coverage in accordance with aspects describedherein. In wireless environment 1150, two areas 1105 represent “macro”cell coverage; each macro cell is served by a base station 1110. It canbe appreciated that macro cell coverage area 1105 and base station 1110can include functionality, as more fully described herein, for example,with regard to system 1100. Macro coverage is generally intended toserve mobile wireless devices, like UE 1120 _(A), 1120 _(B), in outdoorslocations. An over-the-air wireless link 115 provides such coverage, thewireless link 1215 comprises a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL), andutilizes a predetermined band, licensed or unlicensed, of the radiofrequency (RF) spectrum. As an example, UE 1120 _(A), 1120 _(E) can be a3GPP Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) mobile phone. Itis noted that a set of base stations, its associated electronics,circuitry or components, base stations control component(s), andwireless links operated in accordance to respective base stations in theset of base stations form a radio access network (RAN). In addition,base station 1110 communicates via backhaul link(s) 1151 with a macronetwork platform 1160, which in cellular wireless technologies (e.g.,3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Universal MobileTelecommunication System (UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communication(GSM)) represents a core network.

In an aspect, macro network platform 1160 controls a set of basestations 1110 that serve either respective cells or a number of sectorswithin such cells. Base station 1110 comprises radio equipment 1114 foroperation in one or more radio technologies, and a set of antennas 1112(e.g., smart antennas, microwave antennas, satellite dish(es) . . . )that can serve one or more sectors within a macro cell 1105. It is notedthat a set of radio network control node(s), which can be a part ofmacro network platform; a set of base stations (e.g., Node B 1110) thatserve a set of macro cells 1105; electronics, circuitry or componentsassociated with the base stations in the set of base stations; a set ofrespective OTA wireless links (e.g., links 1115 or 1116) operated inaccordance to a radio technology through the base stations; and backhaullink(s) 1155 and 1151 form a macro radio access network (RAN). Macronetwork platform 1160 also communicates with other base stations (notshown) that serve other cells (not shown). Backhaul link(s) 1151 or 1153can include a wired backbone link (e.g., optical fiber backbone,twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line, a digital subscriber line (DSL)either synchronous or asynchronous, an asymmetric ADSL, or a coaxialcable . . . ) or a wireless (e.g., line-of-sight (LOS) or non-LOS)backbone link. Backhaul pipe(s) 1155 link disparate base stations 1110.According to an aspect, backhaul link 1153 can connect multiple femtoaccess points 1130 and/or controller components (CC) 1101 to the femtonetwork platform 1102. In one example, multiple femto APs can beconnected to a routing platform (RP) 1187, which in turn can be connectto a controller component (CC) 1101. Typically, the information from UEs1120 _(A) can be routed by the RP 112, for example, internally, toanother UE 1120 _(A) connected to a disparate femto AP connected to theRP 1187, or, externally, to the femto network platform 1102 via the CC1101, as discussed in detail supra.

In wireless environment 1150, within one or more macro cell(s) 1105, aset of femtocells 1145 served by respective femto access points (APs)1130 can be deployed. It can be appreciated that, aspects of the subjectinnovation are geared to femtocell deployments with substantive femto APdensity, e.g., 11⁴-10⁷ femto APs 1130 per base station 1110. Accordingto an aspect, a set of femto access points 1130 ₁-1130 _(N), with N anatural number, can be functionally connected to a routing platform1187, which can be functionally coupled to a controller component 1101.The controller component 1101 can be operationally linked to the femtonetwork platform 330 by employing backhaul link(s) 1153. Accordingly, UE1120 _(A) connected to femto APs 1130 ₁-1130 _(N) can communicateinternally within the femto enterprise via the routing platform (RP)1187 and/or can also communicate with the femto network platform 1102via the RP 1187, controller component 1101 and the backhaul link(s)1153. It can be appreciated that although only one femto enterprise isdepicted in FIG. 11, multiple femto enterprise networks can be deployedwithin a macro cell 1105.

It is noted that while various aspects, features, or advantagesdescribed herein have been illustrated through femto access point(s) andassociated femto coverage, such aspects and features also can beexploited for home access point(s) (HAPs) that provide wireless coveragethrough substantially any, or any, disparate telecommunicationtechnologies, such as for example Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) or picocelltelecommunication. Additionally, aspects, features, or advantages of thesubject innovation can be exploited in substantially any wirelesstelecommunication, or radio, technology; for example, Wi-Fi, WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Enhanced General PacketRadio Service (Enhanced GPRS), 3GPP LTE, 3GPP2 UMB, 3GPP UMTS, HSPA,HSDPA, HSUPA, or LTE Advanced. Moreover, substantially all aspects ofthe subject innovation can include legacy telecommunicationtechnologies.

With respect to FIG. 11, in example embodiment 1100, femtocell AP 1110can receive and transmit signal(s) (e.g., traffic and control signals)from and to wireless devices, access terminals, wireless ports androuters, etc., through a set of antennas 1169 ₁-1169 _(N). It should beappreciated that while antennas 1169 ₁-1169 _(N) are a part ofcommunication platform 1125, which comprises electronic components andassociated circuitry that provides for processing and manipulating ofreceived signal(s) (e.g., a packet flow) and signal(s) (e.g., abroadcast control channel) to be transmitted. In an aspect,communication platform 1125 includes a transmitter/receiver (e.g., atransceiver) 1166 that can convert signal(s) from analog format todigital format upon reception, and from digital format to analog formatupon transmission. In addition, receiver/transmitter 1166 can divide asingle data stream into multiple, parallel data streams, or perform thereciprocal operation. Coupled to transceiver 1166 is amultiplexer/demultiplexer 1167 that facilitates manipulation of signalin time and frequency space. Electronic component 1167 can multiplexinformation (data/traffic and control/signaling) according to variousmultiplexing schemes such as time division multiplexing (TDM), frequencydivision multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM), code division multiplexing (CDM), space division multiplexing(SDM). In addition, mux/demux component 1167 can scramble and spreadinformation (e.g., codes) according to substantially any code known inthe art; e.g., Hadamard-Walsh codes, Baker codes, Kasami codes,polyphase codes, and so on. A modulator/demodulator 1168 is also a partof operational group 1125, and can modulate information according tomultiple modulation techniques, such as frequency modulation, amplitudemodulation (e.g., M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), with M apositive integer), phase-shift keying (PSK), and the like.

FAP 1110 also includes a processor 1145 configured to conferfunctionality, at least partially, to substantially any electroniccomponent in the femto access point 1110, in accordance with aspects ofthe subject innovation. In particular, processor 1145 can facilitate FAP1110 to implement configuration instructions received throughcommunication platform 1125, which can include storing data in memory1155. In addition, processor 1145 facilitates FAP 1110 to process data(e.g., symbols, bits, or chips) for multiplexing/demultiplexing, such aseffecting direct and inverse fast Fourier transforms, selection ofmodulation rates, selection of data packet formats, inter-packet times,etc. Moreover, processor 1145 can manipulate antennas 1169 ₁-1169 _(N)to facilitate beamforming or selective radiation pattern formation,which can benefit specific locations (e.g., basement, home office . . .) covered by FAP; and exploit substantially any other advantagesassociated with smart-antenna technology. Memory 1155 can store datastructures, code instructions, system or device information like deviceidentification codes (e.g., IMEI, MSISDN, serial number . . . ) andspecification such as multimode capabilities; code sequences forscrambling; spreading and pilot transmission, floor plan configuration,access point deployment and frequency plans; and so on. Moreover, memory1155 can store configuration information such as schedules and policies;FAP address(es) or geographical indicator(s); access lists (e.g., whitelists); license(s) for utilization of add-features for FAP 1110, and soforth.

In embodiment 1100, processor 1145 is coupled to the memory 1155 inorder to store and retrieve information necessary to operate and/orconfer functionality to communication platform 1125, broadband networkinterface 1135 (e.g., a broadband modem), and other operationalcomponents (e.g., multimode chipset(s), power supply sources . . . ; notshown) that support femto access point 1110. In addition, it is to benoted that the various aspects disclosed in the subject specificationcan also be implemented through (i) program modules stored in acomputer-readable storage medium or memory (e.g., memory 1186 or memory1155) and executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1145), or (ii) othercombination(s) of hardware and software, or hardware and firmware.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a block diagram of anexemplary computer system operable to execute the disclosedarchitecture. In order to provide additional context for various aspectsof the disclosed subject matter, FIG. 12 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 1200 in which the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter can be implemented. Additionally, while the disclosedsubject matter described above may be suitable for application in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions that may run on oneor more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that thedisclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the disclosed subject matter may also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

A computer typically includes a variety of computer-readable media.Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby the computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include eithervolatile or nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implementedin any method or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

With reference again to FIG. 12, the exemplary environment 1200 forimplementing various aspects of the disclosed subject matter includes acomputer 1202, the computer 1202 including a processing unit 1204, asystem memory 1206 and a system bus 1208. The system bus 1208 couples tosystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 1206to the processing unit 1204. The processing unit 1204 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multi-processor architectures may also be employed as theprocessing unit 1204.

The system bus 1208 can be any of several types of bus structure thatmay further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1206includes read-only memory (ROM) 1210 and random access memory (RAM)1212. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1210 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1202, such as during start-up. The RAM 1212 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1202 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1214 may also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1216, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1218) and an optical disk drive 1220, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1222 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1214, magnetic diskdrive 1216 and optical disk drive 1220 can be connected to the systembus 1208 by a hard disk drive interface 1224, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1226 and an optical drive interface 1228, respectively. Theinterface 1224 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject matter disclosed herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1202, the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as zipdrives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment, andfurther, that any such media may contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed subject matter.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1212,including an operating system 1230, one or more application programs1232, other program modules 1234 and program data 1236. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1212. It is appreciated that the disclosed subjectmatter can be implemented with various commercially available operatingsystems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1202 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1238 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1240. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1204 through an input deviceinterface 1242 that is coupled to the system bus 1208, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1244 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1208 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1246. Inaddition to the monitor 1244, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1202 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1248. The remotecomputer(s) 1248 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, a mobile device, portable computer,microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or othercommon network node, and typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed relative to the computer 1202, although, for purposes ofbrevity, only a memory/storage device 1250 is illustrated. The logicalconnections depicted include wired/wireless connectivity to a local areanetwork (LAN) 1252 and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network(WAN) 1254. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace inoffices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks,such as intranets, all of which may connect to a global communicationsnetwork, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1202 isconnected to the local network 1252 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1256. The adapter 1256 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1252, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1256.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1202 can includea modem 1258, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1254, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1254, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1258, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1208 via the serial port interface 1242. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1202, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1250. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 1202 is operable to communicate with any wireless devicesor entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11(a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Finetworks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 12Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate, for example, or withproducts that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic “10BaseT” wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

What has been described above includes examples of the variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible.Accordingly, the detailed description is intended to embrace all suchalterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor also can be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” “datastorage,” “database,” “repository,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory. In addition, memory components or memory elementscan be removable or stationary. Moreover, memory can be internal orexternal to a device or component, or removable or stationary. Memorycan include various types of media that are readable by a computer, suchas hard-disc drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cardsor other types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory caninclude read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated exemplary aspects of the embodiments. In thisregard, it will also be recognized that the embodiments includes asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods.

In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including” andvariants thereof are used in either the detailed description or theclaims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.”

1. A system, comprising: a data network configured to propagate a datamessage associated with a set of sensors configured to measure aphysical attribute, wherein the data message is configured to includemeasurement data associated with the physical attribute; and a controlcomponent configured to provide a dedicated control plane for the set ofsensors, wherein the dedicated control plane is configured to propagatea control message associated with the set of sensors, wherein thecontrol message is distinct from the data message and configured toinclude instruction data associated with the set of sensors.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the dedicated control plane is furtherconfigured to operate on a single channel that differs from one or morechannels associated with the data network.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the dedicated control plane is further configured to operateaccording to a different network protocol than that employed inconnection with the data network.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thededicated control plane is further configured to operate according to adifferent communication rate or priority than that of the data network.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the dedicated control plane is furtherconfigured to enable independent addressability for sensors included inthe set of sensors.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controlcomponent is further configured to employ the dedicated control plane toadjust a parameter associated with a sensor of the set of sensors. 7.The system of claim 6, wherein the control component is furtherconfigured to adjust the at least one parameter in real time.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor is in situ.
 9. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the parameter relates to a sensitivity of thesensor.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the control component isfurther configured to employ the dedicated control plane to receive anacknowledgment from the sensor, wherein the acknowledgment indicates theparameter was adjusted.
 11. The system of claim 6, further comprising anintelligence component configured to dynamically infer an adjustmentassociated with the parameter.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein theadjustment relates to a communication channel utilized by the set ofsensors.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control component isincluded in a sensor of the set of sensors.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the control component is remote from the set of sensors.
 15. Asensor, comprising: a sensing component configured to measure a physicalquantity; and a communications component configured to communicatecontrol messages representing instructions by way of a control plane andto communicate data messages representing data associated with thephysical quantity by way of second network distinct from the controlplane.
 16. The sensor of claim 15, further comprising a managementcomponent configured to adjust the sensor based upon an instructionincluded in a control message received by way of the control plane. 17.The sensor of claim 15, further comprising an intelligence componentconfigured to dynamically infer an adjustment to the sensor.
 18. Amethod, comprising: maintaining a communications network for a set ofsensors configured to measure a physical quantity; maintaining a controlplane for the set of sensors; employing a processor for differentiatingbetween a control message including a sensor command and a data messageincluding sensor data; and propagating the control message by way of thecontrol plane.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising utilizingthe control plane for transmission of the control message instructingthe sensor from the set of sensors to modify in real time a parameterassociated with the sensor that is in situ.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising receiving an acknowledgement from the sensor that theparameter was modified according to instructions included in the controlmessage.